Scotland’s next generation of male and female golfers are set to benefit from a new partnership announced today between Scottish Golf and the leading US Golf Scholarship Consultancy, ProDreamUSA.
As Scottish Golf’s official recommended partner for junior golfers considering a golf scholarship in America, ProDreamUSA will support the National Governing Body in providing a pathway for Scottish golfers by working with them to explore opportunities, which will allow them to pursue their aspirations in golf, as well as securing a University degree that will set them up for life.
Scottish Golf recognises that playing golf in the USA provides a terrific platform for young golfers to play full-time while earning a recognised degree or college qualification and today’s announcement comes at an exciting time for both Scottish Golf and ProDreamUSA with the top ranked Scottish Woman (Connie Jaffrey), and the top 5 Scottish Men ranked on WAGR either currently playing or having played at College in the USA.
Some of the country’s most successful golfers are exploits of the US College system with the likes of Colin Montgomerie (Houston Baptist University) and Janice Moody (San Jose State), both going on to have outstanding careers in the game. More recently, former ProDreamUSA clients Grant Forrest and Liam Johnston achieved full status on the European Tour in 2019 after successful seasons on the Challenge Tour.
ProDreamUSA was established in 2004 by former Scotland and GB&I international Lorne Kelly, and since then have placed more than 1,200 junior golfers at American Colleges or Universities.
Speaking at today’s announcement, Andrew McKinlay, CEO at Scottish Golf, said: “We are delighted to have ProDreamUSA on board for the upcoming golf season. We have anumber of young golfers on our performance pathway who have ambitions of playing collegegolf in the US. By working together with ProDreamUSA and providing athletes with access toits expertise and knowledge, this partnership will be hugely beneficial to all parties.
“With 15 years of experience dedicated solely to golf scholarship, their expertise are unrivalled and with this knowledge, we know they will be of great value to both players and their families who are looking at scholarship options. Our Performance Team here at Scottish Golf are really looking forward to working with ProDreamUSA over the course of the season.”
Brendan McKenna, managing director at ProDreamUSA added: “Today’s announcement marks the beginning of an exciting partnership with Scottish Golf, andwe are looking forward to engaging with juniors across the nation to educate them on thescholarship system and provide guidance for golfers who are looking to pursue a career in golf.
“We have worked with a number of junior golfers who have gone on to achieve great things in thegame, with Alice Hewson among the invites to play in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur, while Georgina Blackman and Tom Thurloway both won in 2018 at theEnglish Women’s and Men’s Amateur Championships respectively.”
He added: “We know that committing to a scholarship is a big decision for young golfers and their families, but by becoming Scottish Golf’s recommended partner, we will be able to work with all parties to make the process as straightforward as possible.”
Scottish Golf and ProDreamUSA will be hosting a variety of golf scholarship seminars throughout Scotland in 2019 for players, parents, coaches and junior convenors who wish to find out more about the scholarship process. More information on these seminars will be shared in due course.